Active research projects
Cognitive Reserve and Healthy Aging
In recent years, my research has centered on Healthy Aging, particularly exploring the concept of Cognitive Reserve due to its potential applications for both clinical and healthy aging populations. I have initially focused on assessing cognitive reserve through various methods. Existing questionnaires often lack critical elements, prompting the use of indirect approaches like Discourse Analysis and the development of a new, reliable questionnaire for assessing Cognitive Reserve, known as CoRe-T.
Currently, the research explores the protective role of Cognitive Reserve in mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD, as well as chronic pain and sleep disorders. Additionally, it examines the relationship between Cognitive Reserve and emotion regulation, and Cognitive Reserve and attachment styles.
Furthermore, we are collecting data on how brain stimulation (tDCS) can enhance Cognitive Reserve and emotion regulation.
Featured publications on this topic
Colombo, B.; Fusi, G.; Christopher, K.B. (2024). The Effect of COVID-19 on Middle-Aged Adults’ Mental Health: A Mixed-Method Case–Control Study on the Moderating Effect of Cognitive Reserve. Healthcare, 12, 163.
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Colombo, B., Caravita, S. C., & Hayes, M. (2023). The protective role of cognitive reserve on sleeping disorders on an aging population. A cross-sectional study. Translational Medicine of Aging, 7, 75-79.
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Colombo, B., Hamilton, A., Telazzi, I., & Balzarotti, S. (2023). The Relationship Between Cognitive Reserve and the Spontaneous Use of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Older Adults. A cross-sectional study. Aging Clinical and Experimental Researchhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-023-02424-9
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Colombo, B., Fusi, G., Pabla, S., & Caravita, S. C. (2022). Challenge your Brain. Blogging during the COVID Lockdown as a Way to Enhance Well-Being and Cognitive Reserve in an Older Population. Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, 21(4), 114.
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Ciccarelli, N., Colombo, B., Pepe, F., Magni, E., Antonietti, A., & Silveri, M. C. (2021). Cognitive reserve: a multidimensional protective factor in Parkinson’s disease related cognitive impairment. Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition, 1-16.
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Colombo, B., Piromalli, G., Pins, B., Taylor, C., & Fabio, R. A. (2019). The relationship between cognitive reserve and personality traits: a pilot study on a healthy aging Italian sample. Aging clinical and experimental research, 1-10.
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Colombo, B., Balzarotti, S., & Greenwood, A. (2019). Using a Reminiscence-based Approach to Investigate the Cognitive Reserve of a Healthy Aging Population. Clinical gerontologist, 1-13.
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Colombo, B., Antonietti, A., & Daneau, B. (2018). The Relationships Between Cognitive Reserve and Creativity. A Study on American Aging Population. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 764.
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The role of brain stimulation to promote empowerment and neurorehabilitation

Using neuromodulation (tDCS), we have been designing a series of experiments to explore the potential of noninvasive brain stimulation for rehabilitating cognitive and emotional functions in various populations. These populations range from Alzheimer's patients to young adults with ADHD, as well as healthy adults seeking empowerment. The most recent research focuses on using tDCS to increase Cognitive Reserve and improve emotion regulation.
Featured publications on this topic
Colombo, B., & Iannello, P. (2022). The combined effect of music-induced emotions and neuromodulation on economic decision making: a tDCS study. Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 1-9.
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Gangemi, A., Colombo, B., & Fabio, R. A. (2021). Effects of short-and long-term neurostimulation (tDCS) on Alzheimer’s disease patients: two randomized studies. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 1-8.
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Gangemi, A., Colombo, B., Fabio, R.A. (2019). The Role of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Patients with Moderate Cognitive Impairment. In: Leon V. Berhardt (ed.) Advances in Medicine and Biology (volume 149). Nova Publisher, NY.
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Oldrati, V., Colombo, B., & Antonietti, A. (2018). Combination of a Short Cognitive Training and tDCS to Enhance Visuospatial Skills: A Comparison Between Online and Offline Neuromodulation. Brain Research, 1678, 32-39
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Colombo, B., Di Nuzzo, C., Missaglia, S., Mordente, A., Antonietti, A., Casolo, F. & Tavian, D. (2013). Exploring the positive involvement of primary motor cortex in observing motor sequences with music: a pilot study with tDCS. Sport Sciences for Health, 9(3), 89-96.
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Behavioral and emotional factors linked to physical and emotional health
​My interest in individual differences at cognitive and emotional levels related to behavioral health has led to a series of publications addressing the role these variables play in promoting physical and mental health and reducing health disparities. Thanks to my national and international network, I am investing significantly in upcoming projects and grant applications in this area. Recently, I have been integrating health and technology in my work. Some of the main active projects include:
  • Assessing the effectiveness of a creative writing app to reduce burnout
  • Using technology-inspired approaches to test methods for reducing health discrimination, particularly for aging populations in rural areas and individuals of all ages who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Piloting app-based interventions to increase well-being in teenagers, young adults, professional and aging individuals at risk of developing mental health-related problems, in collaboration with the University of Stavanger in Norway.
Featured publications on this topic
Colombo, B., Aurelio, B. ,Wallace, H.J., Heath, J.L. (2022). Exploring Patients’ Trust from a New Perspective. A Text-Analysis Study. Health Communication. 1-11
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Colombo, B., Rigby, A., Gnerre, M., & Biassoni, F. (2022). The Effects of a Dance and Music-Based Intervention on Parkinson’s Patients’ Well-Being: An Interview Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19(12):7519.
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Fabio, R. A., Gallo, R., & Colombo, B. (2020). Physical and mental health in the oldest-old: a mixed-methods study on a southern Italy sample. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 1-8.
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Forti, S., Colombo, B., Clark, J., Bonfanti, A., Molteni, S., Crippa, A., ... & Molteni, M. (2020). Soundbeam imitation intervention: Training children with autism to imitate meaningless body gestures through music. Advances in Autism.
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Balzarotti S., Colombo B., Christensen A. (2019) The Relationship Between Psychological Distress and Bio-behavioral Processes in Cardiovascular Disease. In: Govoni S., Politi P., Vanoli E. (eds.) Brain and Heart Dynamics. Springer, Cham
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Colombo, B., & Lecciso, F. (2019). Beyond the cortico-centric models of cognition: the role of subcortical functioning in neurodevelopmental disorders. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 2809.
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Balzarotti, S., Biassoni, F., Colombo, B., & Ciceri, M.R. (2017). Cardiac Vagal Control as a Marker of Emotion Regulation in Healthy Adults: A Review. Biological Psychology, 130, 54-66.
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Caravita, S. C., Colombo, B., Stefanelli, S., & Zigliani, R. (2016). Emotional, psychophysiological and behavioral responses elicited by the exposition to cyberbullying situations: Two experimental studies. Psicología Educativa, 22(1), 49-59.
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If you are interested in our research projects feel free to get in touch!